391 
3PV 1 




THE SOUTHERN TEXAS 
COLONIZATION CO. 



OFFICEIS : 

CHICAGO, ILL., - - I ID Rialto Building. 
HOUSTON, TEXAS, Cotton Exchange B'Id'g. 



THC J. M. W. JONES STATIONERY AND PRINTING CO., CHICAQO, ILU 



Souifiern Texas Colonization 60. 




^*4^s 




DRYING FIGS. 



COPYKIGHTED DECEMBER, 1894. 



TEXAS 



@ 



40 Acres = A Living 

80 '« 



Comfort.' ' i Wants you, 



160 " = Wealth. 



READ WHAT THE 

Southern Texas Colonization Co, 

HAS TO SAY ABOUT TEXAS. 



ITS SIZE. 



Texas is the largest State in the Union. It has an average length, 
east and west, of 800 miles, and an average breadth, north and south, of 
750 miles. 

Texas possesses 400 miles of coast line, has navigable rivers equaling 
those of any five other States; 9,500 miles of railroad, mostly trunk lines. 
There are 265,780 square miles of room and hardly ten people yet to each 
square mile. 

The census of 1891-92 shows that 255,000 farmers cultivated their 
own land, 95,000 are tenants and 56,000 day laborers. 

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES. 

Beginning with a level coast there is a gradual ascent north and 
west to an elevation of 4,000 feet, which affords excellent drainage. 
Three-fourths of this vast area can be profitably cultivated. 

The southeastern and southern sections are level and free from 
rock. This is a famous fruit belt, rivaling California or Florida. 
Dense forests of oak, elm. hickory and pine cover the eastern district : 
there being 25.000,000 acres of merchantable pine alone. The Gulf 
Coast country of Texas is an undulating prairie, like tlie prolific plains 
of Kansas and Nebraska, with succulent grasses ; a fine stock coinitry 
and capable of raising immense crops of the great (luartette : Cotton, 
Corn, Wheat and Fruit. One great recommendation of this part of the 

1 



state is its accessibility to market. The lines of the Southern Pacific and 
San xintonio & Aransas Pass Railways traverse almost every county, 
and the farmer and stock-raiser has choice of four or five different 
routes by land or water by which to ship his produce. 



RESOURCES AND CAPABILITIES OF THE SOIL. 

Native and adopted Texans, who ought to know if anybody does, 
claim Texas the best State in the Union. "Without arguing a point that 
is backed by the unanimous assent of 3,000,000 of people, it would be 
strange indeed if any empire five times larger than England, and out 
of which could be carved four new Englands, did not attain the top 
notch in other respects than mere bigness. 

Texas takes the blue ribbon as regards not only area but production 
of cotton ; number of sheep, cattle and horses raised ; in amount of 
funds set apart for free public schools and colleges ; and in the size and 
finish of her beautiful Capitol building. In railroad mileage it ranks 
third; in wealth, fourth, and in population, seventh. 

Texas produces more rice than South Carolina; more sugar and 
sorghum than Louisiana ; more wheat than the Dakotas ; has more 
prairie land than Kansas ; a larger coal area than Pennsylvania; greater 
oak forests than West Virginia ; more corn land than Illinois ; raises 
more cotton than Mississippi, is capable of producing more iron than 
Alabama, and excels New Hampshire in granite. "What else do you 
want? (See page 9.) 

Texas justly lays claim to greater variety and richness of soil than 
any State in the Union. 

As a rule the deep, rich soils need no fertilizer for standard crops. 
Though a modern top dressing of cotton seed helps to make a larger 
crop, it is not absolutely required. Three hundred bushels of sweet 
potatoes were raised last year on one acre of ground, realizing $225 net 
to the owner, and as a second crop fifty-five bushels of corn were raised 
during the same year on the same acre of ground. 



QRAIN=QROWINQ. 

It is a mistaken idea that grain cannot be successfully grown in 
this part of Texas. 

Colonel M. S. Munson, a practical farmer, known all over Texas, 
whose post-office address is at Oyster Creek, Texas, in writing to the 
Houston Post, says : 

" It is generally believed that this coast region is not adapted to 
grain, and men who have farmed here fifty years and never experi- 
mented in grain will tell you so. "When I assert that red oats or red chaff 
Mediterranean wheat are as sure crops here and yield heavier than in 
any other part of the South, I am satisfied that 1 will be disbelieved by 
a majority of your readers, unless they will take the trouble to examine 
the evidence I bring. 

"For many years Mr. "W. D. J. "Way, one of the oldest and most 



successful planters of this vicinity, sowed oats and rarely failed making 
over forty-live bushels per acre. Often he made double that, and several 
times raised volunteer crops on the same land that yielded seventy-five 
bushels. This has also been done by the Jamison and Brunner families, 
at Angleton station, several miles distant. They sowed in October, and 
harvested early enough to raise a good cotton crop on the same land, 
averaging occasionally over half a bale per acre. 

"The Dance brothers, residing near Columbia, have raised on 
bottom land, I believe, over thirty bushels of smooth head wheat per 
acre." 

Colonel Munson sowed wheat of the red chaff variety for seven 
years in succession without changing seed, and raised as high as thirty- 
five bushels per acre. The average yield over the United States is less 
than fourteen, according to official statistics. Colonel Munson's wheat 
has been exhibited at !St. Louis, Chicago and New York, and leading 
mill men have written to him desiring him to plant extensively, and 
engage his whole crop to them at a considerable advance over tiie price 
of other wheat. 

This was in consequence of the fact that it can be harvested here 
six or seven weeks earlier than in what is called the grain belt, the 
quality being far superior to any other samples exhibited in the afore- 
said cities. 

It is conceded that the richest bottom lands along the streams are 
better adapted to corn than small grain, but the ridge and prairie lands, 
constituting over three-fourths of the country, will bring a flrst-class 
crop of either every year. 

The lack of a good neighboring market in former times and laborers 
who could use improved agricultural machinery prevented planters who 
knew grain could be raised here from putting in large crops. 

Colonel Munson once stacked wheat, from six to seven acres, in his 
barnyard, for the use of a number of domestic fowls, allowing them to 
scratch it out at will. At the end of two years what was left of this 
wheat was untouched by weevils and grew well when sowed. 

Nicaragua wheat for stock feed succeeds every year here and yields 
enormously. In fact, this seems its native soil and climate. 

Oats do better when the seed is changed every third or fourth year, 
by getting a supply from regions farther north, but the same is the 
case all over Texas, the Indian Territory, Missouri and Kansas. 



A PRODUCTION RECORD. 

In 1891-92 the various products of this State amounted (from fields, 
gardens, orchards, ranches and factories) to nearly $185,000,000 worth 
of wealth. 

The value of leading crops were : Cotton, $77,000,000; corn, $28,- 
000,000; wheat, $5,250,000; oats, $5,200,000; garden products, $2,500,000; 
potatoes, $2,000,000; hay, $2,125,000; sugar and sorghum, $1,400,000; 
peaches, apples, grapes, plums, melons, strawberries and pears, $2,400,- 
000; millet, barley and rye, $500,000. 

3 



AND THIS IS NOT THE WHOLE STORY. 

Live stock was assessed at $87,000,000; 6,700 factories witli an 
annual output of $37,000,000 employed 38,000 operatives. 

DROUTH. 

The Gulf Coast country is exceptionally free from drouth, although 
some parts of the State are so visited. This rain-belt region is more 
free from drouth than are any of our northern and western States, gentle 
rains falling throughout the year insuring abundant returns at harvest 
time. With a well distributed annual rainfall of 45 to 52 inches, the 
Gulf Coast country is entirely free from the annoyance of dust from 
which the western States suffer. 

OF INTEREST TO SETTLERS. 

We will not enter into details as to the great wealth that can be 
dug out of the ground. The wealth on top of the ground waiting to be 
"tickled by the man with plow into a laughing harvest"' is that upon 
which Texas depends to draw settlers. And while Cotton, Corn, Wheat 
and Fruit are the "standbys" (cotton leading in importance) the 
beautiful region on the gulf coast bids fair soon to crowd other sec- 
tions for first place. Owing to the overcrowding in the great cities of 
the North, and the high price of farm lands in their vicinity, there 
are multitudes of industrious men unable to find employment, or who 
can get work only occasionally, and who are thus by reason of excessive 
house rent and scanty employment constantly on the ragged edge of 
poverty and absolute want. Why not make an effort to get out of this 
rut, and become in a few years the independent owner of a small farm 
in Southeastern Texas ? (See page 8.) 

It is yet but slightly understood that the Gulf Country of Texas can 
successfully compete with California or Florida in 

FRUIT CULTURE, 

though it is positively demonstrated it can now be done, and for the 
following reasons: 

1. We are two days shorter haul— 1000 miles nearer the market — 
which means fresher fruits delivered. 

2. We are six weeks earlier in the market, giving us more than 
double the price for fruits over any competitor. 

Figs, olives, pears, grapes, strawberrie's and all fruits are a remark- 
able success. Even the Mediterranean countries do not excel the Texas 
coast country as regards the raising of fruit. Texas truly furnishes its 
citizens a good living. (See page 9.) 

CLIMATE. 

"Will the climate suit me? "' is always asked by invalids with re- 
gard to an unvisited country. Physicians agree that a favorable 
climate without medicine works greater benefits than medicine minus 
the right climatic conditions. 



A similar query ought always to come from those wlio contemplate 
a change for business advantage, because of what avail is more cash 
when gained at the expense of health ? 

The Gulf Coast country of Texas needs no hired advocate to plead 
its cause. That is surely an inviting land where one ton of coal 
furnishes necessary winter fuel for tlie average family and where the 
summer heat rarely exceeds 90 degrees. The temperature along the 
coast has not reached a maximum of 100 degrees in this period, the 
highest record being 98 degrees in August, 1874. That reliable statis- 
tician, the oldest inhabitant, truthfully affirms that the temperature 
winter and summer rarely varies to exceed 15 degrees daily. 

July is the warmest month, January the coldest month in the year. 
During twenty years the minimum temperature has fallen below 20 
degrees in five years only, below 25 degrees in ten years, and below 30 
in thirteen years. The summer weather is without noticeable varia- 
tion. The evenness of temperature is what makes it possible for the 
farmer to work out of doors nearly every day in the year in comfort. 

The Texas coast winter is more a name than a fact. Killing frosts 
do not usually occur at Houston and vicinity until after December 
1st, and the unwelcome visitation is frequently delayed until January. 
The last hard frost appears any time between January 5th and Feb- 
ruary 1st. 

( Mr. J. L. Cline, assistant observer of the U. S. weather bureau, is 
authority for the above statistics.) 

The genial southern trade wind, blowing over a thousand miles of 
salt water, brings both warmth and coolness and contributes to a main- 
tenance of a similarity of seasons. There is never a calm, and but 
rarely has the wind enough violence to stir the dust. During a long 
period, only a few times has it blown a gale, while cyclones are un- 
known. No matter how fervent may be the direct rays of the sun, a 
step into the shade brings pleasant relief. Nights are uniformly agree- 
able, a blanket being necessary before morning for comfort. 

It is the dreaded "'norther," the fag end of which drops down from 
snow-covered Dakota prairies to inform Texans that Christmas is com- 
ing. Sensitive ears and exceedingly tender plants have hardly felt the 
nip when the Hurry is over and the all-pervading gulf breeze resumes 
its accustomed sway. The climate is comparable to that of Italy and 
southern California ; there being so much fine weather one almost 
filches thirteen months enjoyment out of every year. 

The summers in Texas come early and stay late. This is in keeping 
with the generosity of the country. Then, too, that long succession of 
warm and sunshiny days, wlien one instinctively seeks the shady side of 
the street, may become monotonous to certain restless souls wdio pine 
for variety. To offset this there are practically only two months of winter, 
and that more reseml)les a northern October than the scenes commonly 
associated with the winter months. If you dote on the nipping air 
and the coasting by moonlight, give Texas the go-by. Tlie greens are 
more brilliant, the vegetation more prolific, and the sunshine yellower 
than in the ice-bound North, and you will like it here when once 
lacqualnted. There is a fascination in what at first appears a draw- 

5 



back. The soothing gulf airs are a perpetual invitation to stop worry 
and fret and hurry. They call to just enough indolence to prevent the 
human machine from too hastily vs'earing out. It is not a misdemeanor 
to be occasionally a trifle lazy in Texas. 

HEALTH. 

Contrary to accepted tradition, the inhabitants of the Gulf Coast 
country do not eat quinine with every meal, nor arc their faces invari- 
ably sallow. Malaria is a fable and a dream except when invited by 
carelessness or ignorance. Though this is a flat country (like Illinois, 
Indiana and Michigan), it has but few tracts of swampy land and those 
of small extent. Where forests occur along the bayous they are void 
of undergrowth, a sure sign that nothing is present productive of ague. 

The surplus rainfall perfectly drains into the gulf— chills and fever 
appearing only along overflowed banks and undrained river bottoms, and 
then the exception. On the high, open prairies malaria is an unknown 
visitor except where water is criminally permitted to remain stagnant. 

Colds and catarrh cause more suffering and bring about more 
graveyard additions in the New England States alone than the 
combined diseases of the Gulf Coast. No epidemic diseases have 
visited this section for a quarter of a century. Periodical fevers are 
almost entirely absent and the average annual death rate at Houston 
does not exceed nine per 1,000 inhabitants. 

EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES. 

No State in the Union and no country in the world has so magnifi- 
cently endowed her Public Free Schools as Texas. A permanent 
school fund of $100,000,000 has been accumulated for the benefit of 
9,575 schools. 

CHURCHES. 

All prominent religious denominations are well represented by 
thriving churches, and society in general is of the highest order. The 
hospitality is proverbial : the latch-string is always out. 

YOU CAN BETTER YOUR CONDITION. 

Why is it advisable for a farmer in the East or Northwest if he 
has a small farm to sell, or if he is a renter, to surely invest in a farm 
in this country on -the Coast ? We answer : Because more clear 
money can be made by the transfer, and for these reasons : 
I. We have no winter. The climate is unsurpassed. 
II. It costs 40^ less to build a house than in the north. 

III. It costs 80% less for fuel. 

IV. It costs 50% less for clothing and bedding. 

V. We raise two and three crops of vegetables a year. 
VI. If a man is inclined, he can work all the year instead of 
raising one crop in the summer and using it all up in the 
winter. 



YII. Cattle do not require to be fed here, as grazing lands are 
plentiful ; the exception being in the case of a norther, 
when it is advisable to feed some. 
VIII. Fruit lauds are paying $200 to $700 per acre net a year. 
"While the fruit trees are growing, put in strawberries in 
October or November and sell your matured crop in Feb- 
ruary or the March following. Raise vegetables as well 
between the rows of trees. 
IX. One can plant the same in 90 days from the day the prairie 
sod is broken, and make three crops a year. 

OF HANY EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES, 

The Southern Texas Colonization Company offers one which is attract- 
ing widespread attention, and which is deemed worthy of special men- 
tion. After a great expenditure of both time and money by this com- 
pany, the members of which are experienced land men, they chanced 
upon a tract of land, which, according to indisputable evidence, has 
proven to be 

A HAPPY SELECTION. 

This tract, conceded to be the finest in the Gulf Coast country, is 
situated in the northeast part of Wharton and the southeastern part of 
Colorado Counties, 50 miles west, and a little south of Houston, and 
the lands lie around and contiguous to the towns of Chester and 
New Philadelphia. The main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad 
traverses the southern part of the tract, and the S. A. & A. P. R. 
R. crosses its north center. The town of New Philadelphia is located 
on the Southern Pacific, and the work of laying out and developing 
Chester City, on the S- A. & A. P. R. R., is now going on. Improve- 
ments will be made during the fall, and the intention is to make Ches- 
ter City, owing to its natural advantages, one of the most prosperous 
towns along the line. 

The land lies high, on the dividing ridge between the St. Bernard 
and Colorado rivers about 100 feet above the sea, and is well drained by 
several small creeks running through it. 

The tract embraces 35,000 acres, and for such a large body you will 
not find their equal in the State. 

To the east and north of the tract we have the St. Bernard river 
and west the Colorado river, and the banks along these streams are 
covered with timber. 

A great advantage this tract offers is the fact that it lies higher 
and is better drained than most of the lands in the Gulf Coast country. 
Every part of it can be worked after the heaviest rains, the soil being 
a black loam, with suilicient sand in its composition to enable the plow 
to scour, and to absorb the surface water. 

Good well water can be obtained at a depth of from 20 to 30 feet. 
Artesian wells haxe been bored with complete success and at such low 
cost that they are coming into general use. 

Three miles west of tlie tract we find the city of Eagle Lake, where 
the two above-mentioned railroads cross. The town has over I,.500 
inhabitants, with good graded school, several churches, hotels, and is 



now a great shipping point for grain, and liunclreds of tons of pecan 
nuts are shipped in the season. A summer resort second to none in the 
south is now opened, and a railroad from the city to the lake, distance 
1}4 miles, has been built. The lake itself is about three miles long and 
1% miles wide, and on its east shore a large and modern pavilion has 
been built, race and bicycle tracks planned, also base ball grounds, and 
along the lake shore are found the finest of picnic grounds, as the shores 
are covered by large live oak and other trees. Good fishing, with plenty 
of boats to be hired for those that prefer to be on the water. Regular 
excursions will be run during the season to this beautiful resort. 

To the north, and 8 miles from the tract, we have the town of 
Sealy, on the Santa Fe and M. K. & T. railroads. The country lying 
between Sealy and this tract is mostly settled and land commanding a 
high price. Five miles east on the Aransas Pass R. R. the thriving 
town of Wallis is located. Here the Santa Fe crosses Aransas Pass. 
We have, six miles east of this tract, the town of East Bernard. The 
country east of this tract is, to a great extent, settled by thrifty Ger- 
mans, and improved farms are worth $40.00 per acre. 

From the above the reader will find that pioneer life here can be 
made into a life of pleasure and sociability, as the surrounding country 
is dotted with farm houses and cities. 

TESTinONY OF A BUYER AND RESIDENTS. 

Mr. L. W. Olson, of Wataga, one of our most prominent and suc- 
cessful Illinois farmers, regarding the lands which we offer for sale, 

writes: 

Wataga, 111., July 14, 1894. 
Editor Western Trail, Chicago: 

Dear Sir. — In reply to your inquiries concerning the length of 
time I have made Illinois my home, my trips to Texas, and my opinion 
of that State, I would say as follows : 

My father and mother, with four children, arrived in Knox county, 
Illinois, in the fall of 1849, just in time to see the last section of gov- 
ernment land sold at $1.25 per acre, and soldiers' patent and second- 
hand land at $4 to $6 per acre. 

As father's capital was nearly exhausted, he was enabled to pur- 
chase but twenty acres, which at that time seemed sufficient, for wood 
could be had free of charge in the forest, and the prairie supplied pas- 
ture and hay ; but times and the country have changed so that a few 
years ago, when I bought a home, I had to pay $10,000 for a quarter 
section, with but few improvements. This same land would readily 
sell to-day at $100 per acre. 

As it is almost impossible to buy land at those prices and pay for 
it, and as my family of four boys and one girl is grown up, a desire 
came to my mind to see Texas, and last February I started out. It was 
on the evening of the 13th that I boarded the train at Rock Island, over 
The Great Rock Island Route, bound for Texas. 

It will be remembered that there was a severe snow storm just at 
that time, so we were oljliged to plow through snow nearly all the way 
to Fort Worth, Texas. I visited the southern part of the State, found 
they had some chilly and rainy weather and occasional frosts, though 
not intense enough to freeze the ground. I enjoyed to see the smooth 

10 



and extensive prairies, and, as tliis was the winter season, there was con- 
sequently notliing growing, so I could form no favorable opinion about 
the soil s fertility. 1 came home neither to praise nor condemn Texas, 
but with the determinat ion to see it again before making a purchase. 

After having planted our corn my eldest son and myself took in the 
excursion, May 8th, over the Rock Island Route and il. & T. C. Rut 
behold the difference ! Where the land was being plowed when I came 
home the latter part of February, the corn was now waist high, and 
the cotton well advanced, and the farther south we proceeded the taller 
the growth. 

I found the land aiound New Philadelphia a sandy loam on clay 
sub-soil, quite unlike our black loam in Illinois. Nevertheless, it raised 
cornstalks six feet high, having a strong growth and a healthy color; 
oats three feet tall, already headed and ready for the binder in a week, 
had there been one there; and prairie grass one toot tall. Seeing all 
this just two months after my winter's experience, do you wonder that 
I changed my opinion about the soil V Well, the result was that I pur- 
chased one-half section of land north-west of New Philadelphia, 
between S. P. R. R. and S. A. & A. P. R. R., about four miles east of 
Eagle Lake. I made a third trip in June for the purpose of locating 
my land after it had been re-surveyed. Corn was then ten to twelve 
feet tall and earing out. Prairie grass yielding a ton to the acre was 
being harvested, and sold at from five to six dollars per ton. 

I think that the coast country of Texas is the place for a man with 
limited means to get a home of his own. 

My eldest son is now paying $1,000 a year in rent for 220 acres, 
which does not give him much chance to save up with a view of pur- 
chasing for himself, so he wants to go to Texas as soon as possible. 

There are no "flies" on Illinois. It is the grandest State in the 
Union in my estimation, but a common laborer and a renter here will 
remain a laborer or a renter. 

Although Texas may have drawbacks, still I am confident that a per- 
son investing now will in a short time have a home he can in reality 
call his own. Yours truly, 

L. W. Olson, Wataga, 111. 

A request for further reliable information regarding our lands from 
Mr. E. A. Xordin, of Roseland, Illinois, elicited the following reply 
from Messrs. Converse and Woodbridge, whose long and varied exper- 
ience in the capacity of civil engineers in Southern Texas enal)les them 
to make statements which may be accepted with absolute certainty as 
to their correctness. 

Major Converse is a man of position and influence, having enjoyed 
the confidence of, and for many years having been associated with the 
late T. W. Pierce, builder of the famous Southern Pacific Railroad. 
He now occupies the position of resident executor for the vast Southern 
interests of the Pierce estate, from which we acquired title to this 
property. 

Mr. C. G. Woodbridge has for many years been actively associated 
with the interests of the late Jay Gould in this district and exhibits 
personal letters corroborative of this assertion. 

Office of CONVERSE & WOODBRIDGE, James Converse. 

Civil Enjiineeis and Real Estate, C. G. WoorxBRiDGE. 

Converse Building, Cor. Main and Commerce Sts. 

Houston, Texas, Sept. 6, 1894. 
E. A. NoRDiN, Esq., Roseland, 111. 

Dear Sir:— Pursuant to request, and with reference to lands lying 

11 



in Wharton and Colorado counties, but which are now out of our con- 
trol, we beg to state: — 

For such a large body you will not tlnd their equal in the State. 
Without exaggerating, we will say that nearly the whole of this vast 
body is tillable and at the same time well watered: situated on and 
between the Southern Pacific and Aransas Pass railroads on the divid- 
ing ridge between the San Bernard and Colorado rivers; soil of a black 
sandy loam, with sufficient sand to scour the plow, and of a very highly 
productive nature. One of the finest openings for a colony. Situated 
half-way between the heavy rain and drouth belt, making the seasons 
more uniform, with an abundance of rain. 

Materials for building can be had on the line of the railroads from 
$10.00 to $15.00 per M. 

Mules and horses suitable for farming, $50.00 up. 

Hoping to be able to serve you at any time, we are, 

Yours respectfully, 

Converse & Woodbridge. 

During the past six months numerous committees of representative 
people have had occasion to examine our tract of land. Among these 
were committees of representative Hollanders, three, in all comprising 
twenty-two men, who are in search of locations for such of their people 
as desire homes in a good farming, stock-raising, fruit and vegetable 
growing country combined, where crops are sure, lands cheap and 
climate mild and healthy. 

These men were surprised and delighted by what they saw in Texas, 
and where they expected to find principally large cattle ranches they 
saw thousands of small farms with magnificent crops, cultivated, not 
by tenants, but by the owners of the land, and that as many as nine- 
tenths of the farmers are white men. 

One committee desiring accurate, detailed information with especial 
reference to the suitability of our land for truck-farming and being 
referred therefor to Mr. G. A. Forsgard, 46 years a resident of the Texas 
Gulf Coast Country, received from him the letter which appears below. 

Mr. Forsgard, in 1848 emigrated from his Swedish home and chose 
this new mediterranean along the Gulf Region of Texas as his future 
abiding place. An indefatigable worker, a man prominent in church 
and business circles, he enjoys the confidence and respect of all who 
know him. 

Having labored with great zeal during all these years in the adapta- 
tion of untried varieties of plants to the soil and climate, he has become 
an authority on matters whereof he writes and entire dependence may 
be placed upon his statements. 

DISTRICT flLLIflNCE EXCHflNQE 

OF SOUTHERN TEXAS. 

Chartered Hay 17, 1888. 

Organized to Dispose of Farm Products, and Procure Farm Supplies 
in the Most Economical Manner. 

G. A. FORSGARD, 

Kora till Texas ar 1848. 

Houston, Texas, October 22, 1894. 
Messrs. H. Van Dam, Kalamazoo, Mich., M. Henzinga, Fulton, 111., 
A. ScHippER and H. Rie3IERSMA, Chicago, 111. 

12 



Gentlemen:— In reply to your reiiuest for some information as 
to the climate and products of this portion of Texas, especially in ref- 
erence to truck-farming, I will give such facts as a 46 years' residence 
here has brought within my experience and observation. 

A truck f aim may and should have something groimig on it every month 
in the year. And this is as much as need be said about the climate.. In order 
to have this the sowing should be done as follows: 
NovEMBEK— To start now, cabbage, spinach, peas, onions, etc., red 

oats, clover, alfalfa, rye, barley, lettuce, turnips and radishes. 
December— Peas, carrots, cabbage, radishes and parsley. Latter part 

of the month potatoes may do. 
January — Turnips, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, peas, potatoes, and 

transplant onions, shallots and cabbage. 
February— Beets, mustard, leek, peas, beans, main crop of potatoes, 

early corn. 
March— Beans, squash, cucumbers, melons, okra. Potatoes may 

still be sown, and corn, sorghum and millet. 
April — All tender vegetables may now be sown, and plants from hot- 
beds, tomatoes and peppers set out, also sweet potatoes, millet, 
corn, beans and okra. 
May — During this month very few vegetables can be sown, but where 
potatoes, onions and other crops have been taken off, corn, melons, 
cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, etc., may be planted, also some 
varieties of cabbage, late Italian cauliflower, sweet potatoes, 
cow peas, sorghum, and black-eyed peas. 
June — If the weather is favorable, plant and sow same as in May, but 

the most of the time will be demanded by tlie growing crop. 
July— Bush and pole beans, corn, sweet potatoes, millet, broom corn, 
cow peas, etc, may still be planted, and seeds of cabbage, cauli- 
flower, etc., should be sown in cold frames: for the fall garden 
sow cow peas. 
August — This is a busy month with the truck-farmer— the beginning of 
the fall garden— peas, beans, cabbage, turnips, mustard, lettuce, 
kohlrabi, rutabagas, beets, carrots, celery, potatoes, shallots 
and millet. 
Seftember— Early peas, beans, parsnips, salsify, onions, kale, spinach; 

set out cabbage, etc. 
October — Onions, marrowfat peas, cow peas, salsify, oats, barley and 
rye may be sown. 
Strawberry plants should be set out this month, or as soon after as 
land is in condition, but any time from September to April will do. 

Trees of all kinds should be transplanted as soon after growth has 
stopped as possible, but may be done successfully as late as February. 
Nearly all kinds of clover and grass do best if sown in the fall 
months. 

The list might be enlarged, but enough has been said to give the 
intelligent truck-farmer a hint as to what class of vegetables or prod- 
ucts are suitable in this Southeast Texas Coast Countrj', for each sea- 
son, or each month in the year, and from which a selection can be made 
for an intelligent rotation of crops. 

13 



Every farmer knows the time that each product named will require 
to mature, but I will say from two to six months, or an average of three 
months. From this you will see that after making due allowance for 
variations of season and time for preparing the ground, still three crops 
can fee taken off or raised on the same ground every twelve months. I do not 
mean to say that three good crops ivill be raised on the same ground 
every year, but I do say it may and can. y'ou know many who fail to 
raise even one good crop a year, and many who let the vigorous weeds 
occupy the ground more than half the time and produce seeds for 
enough weeds to occupy half of your other time to eradicate. Why not 
spend tlie time cultivating something useful? It is more pleasant than 
to be fighting weeds, for that is the dullest work I know of on a farm. 

If a crop fails, plow it under as soon as the failure is apparent, and 
plant something else; do not let the weeds exhaust the fertility of the 
soil, but make them contribute to it by plowing them under. 

It goes without saying, that in order to produce abundant and con- 
tinuous crops, liberal manuring is necessary on any land. None know 
this better than our successful truck-farmers near New Orleans, where 
they have the richest soil on earth; but expensive commercial fertiliz- 
ers are not necessarily the best. In my opinion the barnyard manure 
is equal if not better for all purposes, and the plowing under of clover, 
cow peas, and other green crops probably the best and cheapest of all, 
especially here where they grow so luxuriantly at any season of the 
year. Where forage for cattle and hogs can be so easily produced, and 
where fat beef, pork and butter bring so good returns, the question of 
barnyard manure is easily solved on a truck farm. 

In the list of vegetables named, I omitted some that do not pro- 
perly belong to an ordinary farm, but should still have a place in every 
farm garden, for in my opinion farming includes the raising of every- 
thing that the ground can be made to produce. If not raised for sale, 
it will come in to supply the home table and save the spending of 
money for some less palatable and less wholesome food. And right here 
I must mention hen berries and dairy fruit as among the most desirable 
products of a farm for home consumption, and any place where 
chickens, eggs, milk and butter are not constant ''companions of the 
breakfast table" should not be called a farm, especially where the 
means of support for hens and cows are as easily obtained as in this 
section. 

As you ask my opinion about /armmg I will say notliing about fruit 
raising, (though I believe that any man with patience, experience and 
plenty of money, can make a success at tliat here). 

Yet I must say that I would not consider a farm suitable or desira- 
ble as a home for young or old witlaout fruit and flowers, but cheer- 
less as a landscape without sunsliine. And here where it can be liad 
with so little care, every farm worthy of the name of ''home'' should be 
surrounded by the evidences of refinement and taste, which beget 
cheerfulness and health. Such as roses, jessamines, crape-myrtle, 
oleanders, figs, scoupernongs, plums, peaches, pomegranates are all at 
home here, besides cinnamon, arrowroot, cardimon, ginger, pineapple, 
kaki, guava, oranges and many other tropical fruit, flower and foliage 

14 



plants, which if not profitable, still deserve a place in every farm-yard 
for their beauty and conseiiuently moral and healthful influence. 

In reply to the stereotyped questions, "which will be t he most profit- 
able brancli of agriculture for any one to follow in this coast country 
and what is the soil best adapted for?'' I will say, that lohich you best 
understand- You can find land and locations suited to fruit, melons, 
truck, dairy or any branch you best understand. If you understand 
your business, you will know when you see the land if it is suited for 
you or not. If you do not, the fact that some one else has made a grand 
success is no evidence that you will, any more than if some one was to 
say to me: ''Ole Ikill made money and a world-wide fame by playing 
the violin; here is a tiddle, go and do likewise." Shall I be bull-headed 
and try? The climate and soil is here "all over in spots" through the 
Gulf Coast Country and I have lived here since 1848. I know the land 
and clinuite as well as anyone, having accumulated considerable experi- 
ence if nothing else. I may and probably will live long enougli to see 
this Gulf Coast Country "A little Eden" (excepting apples) and tliink 
all that is required to make it so is a little money, a little energy and 
intelligence enough to push the nauseating weeds and tenacious 
cocklebur from the yard and fence corner and replace them with the 
fragrant jessamine, brilliant canna, stately banana and the numerous 
lovely shrubs, vines and foliage plants which only need a chance to grow 
equally rampant. ''A hint is as good as a word" but "a word to the wise 
is sufficient." 

Xow that you have inspected the land that you inquired about, I 
will be pleased to hear if your impressions about the same tallies with 
the description I gave you of it; and if not, in what particular we differ. 
If again any inf«»rmatioa I can give will be of value to you, I will 
cheerfully give it, confident that anything I can say will redound to the 
development of this, my adopted country, the Texas Gulf Coast 
Country, and to the benefit of all enterprising people who may adopt it. 

Respectfully, G. A. Fobsgard. 

G. A. FORSGARD. 

Dear Sir:— I have read the foregoing letter with great care and 
deep interest and can say, not only that it coincides with my experience, 
and as you know I have been a truck- farmer in Harris County for over 
20 years, but furthermore that it is the clearest and most explicit des- 
cription of what can or should be done in truck-farming in this section, 
that I liave ever seen or heard. Respectfully, 

(Signed), Theodor W. Hillendaiil, 

Volmer, Harris Co., Texas. 
TITLE. 

The title to this property was acquired directly from the State by the 
railroads and may be depended upon as free from any adverse claimant. 
There are no rights of dower or community interests to rise up hereafter 
and involve the purchaser in litigation, as is too often the case where 
lands have gone through the hands of individuals. These advantages 
would justify the purchaser in paying even a little higher price for the 
railroad lands than he might have to pay individuals. 

On following page we append a copy of our attorney's opinion of the 
title to these lands. It was specially examined by Judge Kittrell who 
has lived for forty years in Texas. He was for nearly seven years judge 
of the 12th judicial district of that State and for one term president of 
the State bar association. 

If) 



NORMAL G. KITTRELL, A. C. ALLEN. 

Late Judg-e 12th Judicial Dist. of Texas. 
Ex-President Texas Bar Association. 

KITTRELL & ALLEN, 

ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 

206!/2 Main Street, 

Houston, Texas, August 28th, 1894- 
The Southern Texas Colonization Company, City : 

Gentlemen :— We have in a most careful and painstaking manner 
examined the title to lands purchased by your Company of the estate of 
T. W. Peirce. 

We carefully examined the will of Mr. Peirce, which is duly pro- 
bated. It confers upon his executors absolute and unqualified power to 
make conveyance of these lands. The title is good beyond doubt or 
question and any purchaser may buy with perfect assurance of securing 
absolutely good title. Yours truly, 

KiTTRELL & Allen, 

Per Kittrell. 

HERE ARE HOMES FOR THE HOMELESS, LANDS FOR THE 

LANDLESS. 

Now is the time for you to invest in order to get the benefit of 
existing low prices. The prices of lands will surely advance. 

TERMS. 

Only a small amount of cash will be needed to make a first payment 

on 80 or 160 acres, and less each year thereafter than it takes to rent a 

farm of the same size in any good neighborhood in the northern states. 

Further information will be cheerfully and promptly furnished 

upon request, either in person or by letter to 

Southern Texas Colonization Co , 

110 Rialto Building, Cliicago, 111. 
or. Cotton Exchange Building, 

Houston, Texas. 

TERnS OF SALE : 

These lands are offered by the Southern Texas Colonization Co., 
on four (4) years time, with 7 % interest on deferred payments, payable 
annually. 

EXAMPLE: 
i6o Acres, at $7.00 per Acre, amounts to $1,120. 

Cash. Interest. Total. 

Purchase date, one-fifth $224 00 $224 00 

One year hence, one-fifth 224 00 $62 72 286 72 

Two years hence, one-fifth 224 00 47 04 271 04 

Three years hence, one-fifth 224 00 31 36 255 36 

Four years hence, one-fifth 224 00 15 68 239 68 

160 Acres, at $10.00 per Acre, amounts to $1,600. 

Cash. Interest. Total. 

Purchase date, one-fifth $320 00 $320 00 

One year hence, one-fifth 320 00 $89 60 409 60 

Two years hence, one-fifth 320 00 67 20 387 20 

Three years hence, one-fifth 320 00 44 80 364 80 

Four years hence, one-fifth. 320 00 22 40 342 40 

16 






J 



om us m ONE of our excursions 



OVER 



'phe (j reat ^ock 
Island Route 



VIA THE H. &, T. C. R. R. TO HOUSTON, AND S.'A. &, A. P. R. R. 
TO CHESTER AND RETURN. 



PLUS $2.00 FOR THE 



ONLY ONE FARE ^^'il.S trip 



Free fare to every purchaser of 160 acres. Always take 
receipt from station agent for money paid for tickets, which must 
be presented to us as evidence of the amount paid. 

Persons joining our excursions at Chicago, which leave at 6 
o'clock P. M. excursion days, should call at our office before they 
buy R. R. tickets, as we can always arrange that to their own 
advantage. 

One of our representatives can always be found on tfiese ex- 
cursion trains. Enquire for him. 

SOUTHERN TEXAS COLONIZATION CO. 

110 RIALTO BLDG-, CHICAGO. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



014 647 243 6 




BUY TICKETS OVER THE 



Qre/it Rock Island Route 

TO CHESTER, TEXAS. 






ROUTE AND LINES: 

C, R. I. & P. R'Y, 

Embarkation Point to Ft. "Worth. 

HOUSTON & TEXAS CENT. R. R., 

Ft. Worth to Houston. 

SAN ANTONIO & ARANSAS PASS R'Y, 

Houston to Chester, Texas. 



JsviTMERN Texas Colonization Co. 

110 RtALTO Building, Chicago. 



